karlb123
Sep 15, 2010
Research Papers / Research paper proposal for diabetes & aviation human factors [11]
Hi Kevin, Thanks for your reply.
EF_Kevin:
You know more about it that I do, but I think if any sufferers cannot control it despite best efforts then it will be hard to get the policy changed or make an argument that it should be changed.
karlb123:
I see your views but in Canada commercial flying is allowed (obviously its with 2 pilots which is required for law as its a complex metal tube- haha!) The USA allows more private flying privileges than the UK and the UK has more privileges than countries where its disallowed or only with another pilot... so there is scope for regulations to be changed. The CAA have told me that the continuous glucose monitoring technology I use will be a 'door opener'. They just want more evidence/studies that will allow a change to be made either by filing a difference against ICAO (which is how Canada allowed commercial diabetic pilots to fly).
Have a read of this:
EF_Kevin:
Yep, I had a suspicion that this was the case....
About tail chasing, that is part of this kind of process. I have done a lot of tail chasing.
You can't prove that there are any ideal candidates who will not have complications.
There is a first time for everything.
However, we cannot predict that any pilot will not suddenly become incapable of doing the job.
karlb123:
I know this can be a bad thing, but I do understand I have to keep it non biased which is why I am trying to get help and why I dislike my lecturers idea as it immediately makes it negative towards diabetes.
We are all human and there will be complications sometimes but majority of pilots whom have diabetes have been flying in USA since 1997 with no major incidents and very very few minor ones. Incapacity is a fair point but as you say its ANY pilot...whether its a heart attack or passing out for some reason. However continuous glucose monitoring can allow some pilots to guarantee they will not go into a major low/hypoglycaemic episode.
EF_Kevin:
For a commercial airline, you have to remember competition. Competition in the industry makes it so that an airline will have a hard time selling tickets if it is perceived as having lower standards for pilots.
Karlb123:
Airlines are unable to discriminate against people with disabilities IF they can hold the relevant medical required for the job. In the UK there are employment disability discrimination laws to prevent this or allow a person to challenge the company. As I said, it has been no problem in Canada where there are around 15 type 1 diabetic pilots on the roster.
Kevin_EF:
The truth is, they all seem to have low standards, in the sense that pilots now report being asked to work 21 hour days, sleep deprived, not being paid a reasonable amount of money...
Can I remind you just how ridiculous the idea of flying in a metal cylinder really is? Well, fly privately, anyway, and practice medicine, but... I don't think working for a major airline is the best thing is the world, and neither is flying for the military. It sounds like you have been dealt a hand that makes you very well suited to some things, though... so...
Karlb123:
I agree with you, but this goes further than me wanting to jump back into my old dream. Thats gone, Im already walking down the path of flying privately and working towards becoming a medical student. I just now have a point to prove to doubters I have met as well as those I have come across in my life that are being prevented because of diabetes when in reality they are perfectly capable. Thank you for the comment regarding the hand ive been dealt. I see getting diabetes is a reason to make a change and help others as well as wanting to discover more by entering the medical field.
EF_Kevin:
How about doing qualitative research in a similar area, such as working conditions for pilots at major airlines.
Or working conditions for military pilots....
You can do a multiple case study, using each pilot you interview as a case. Look up grounded theory OR look up the work of Robert Yin on case study methods.
Learn about grounded theory or about case studies, and you will be ready to explore. You can conduct as many of these studies as you want.
Karlb123:
I couldn't, the main driving passion is there- diabetes. I am really passionate about both and I combined, I could achieve something amazing.
EF_Kevin:
The problem with your original idea is that it tries to accomplish to much all at once. Proving a diabetic can fly reliably will be something you work on over several related research projects, perhaps starting with a case study project about the work lives of pilots.
Karlb123:
Id rather spend a year working on part of this study that encompases diabetes and flying and if it left scope for further research when I have completed my medical degree (4 years for graduate entry medicine in the uk + 1 jnr year and + 1 snr year in hospitals)
Thanks Karl
Hi Kevin, Thanks for your reply.
EF_Kevin:
You know more about it that I do, but I think if any sufferers cannot control it despite best efforts then it will be hard to get the policy changed or make an argument that it should be changed.
karlb123:
I see your views but in Canada commercial flying is allowed (obviously its with 2 pilots which is required for law as its a complex metal tube- haha!) The USA allows more private flying privileges than the UK and the UK has more privileges than countries where its disallowed or only with another pilot... so there is scope for regulations to be changed. The CAA have told me that the continuous glucose monitoring technology I use will be a 'door opener'. They just want more evidence/studies that will allow a change to be made either by filing a difference against ICAO (which is how Canada allowed commercial diabetic pilots to fly).
Have a read of this:
EF_Kevin:
Yep, I had a suspicion that this was the case....
About tail chasing, that is part of this kind of process. I have done a lot of tail chasing.
You can't prove that there are any ideal candidates who will not have complications.
There is a first time for everything.
However, we cannot predict that any pilot will not suddenly become incapable of doing the job.
karlb123:
I know this can be a bad thing, but I do understand I have to keep it non biased which is why I am trying to get help and why I dislike my lecturers idea as it immediately makes it negative towards diabetes.
We are all human and there will be complications sometimes but majority of pilots whom have diabetes have been flying in USA since 1997 with no major incidents and very very few minor ones. Incapacity is a fair point but as you say its ANY pilot...whether its a heart attack or passing out for some reason. However continuous glucose monitoring can allow some pilots to guarantee they will not go into a major low/hypoglycaemic episode.
EF_Kevin:
For a commercial airline, you have to remember competition. Competition in the industry makes it so that an airline will have a hard time selling tickets if it is perceived as having lower standards for pilots.
Karlb123:
Airlines are unable to discriminate against people with disabilities IF they can hold the relevant medical required for the job. In the UK there are employment disability discrimination laws to prevent this or allow a person to challenge the company. As I said, it has been no problem in Canada where there are around 15 type 1 diabetic pilots on the roster.
Kevin_EF:
The truth is, they all seem to have low standards, in the sense that pilots now report being asked to work 21 hour days, sleep deprived, not being paid a reasonable amount of money...
Can I remind you just how ridiculous the idea of flying in a metal cylinder really is? Well, fly privately, anyway, and practice medicine, but... I don't think working for a major airline is the best thing is the world, and neither is flying for the military. It sounds like you have been dealt a hand that makes you very well suited to some things, though... so...
Karlb123:
I agree with you, but this goes further than me wanting to jump back into my old dream. Thats gone, Im already walking down the path of flying privately and working towards becoming a medical student. I just now have a point to prove to doubters I have met as well as those I have come across in my life that are being prevented because of diabetes when in reality they are perfectly capable. Thank you for the comment regarding the hand ive been dealt. I see getting diabetes is a reason to make a change and help others as well as wanting to discover more by entering the medical field.
EF_Kevin:
How about doing qualitative research in a similar area, such as working conditions for pilots at major airlines.
Or working conditions for military pilots....
You can do a multiple case study, using each pilot you interview as a case. Look up grounded theory OR look up the work of Robert Yin on case study methods.
Learn about grounded theory or about case studies, and you will be ready to explore. You can conduct as many of these studies as you want.
Karlb123:
I couldn't, the main driving passion is there- diabetes. I am really passionate about both and I combined, I could achieve something amazing.
EF_Kevin:
The problem with your original idea is that it tries to accomplish to much all at once. Proving a diabetic can fly reliably will be something you work on over several related research projects, perhaps starting with a case study project about the work lives of pilots.
Karlb123:
Id rather spend a year working on part of this study that encompases diabetes and flying and if it left scope for further research when I have completed my medical degree (4 years for graduate entry medicine in the uk + 1 jnr year and + 1 snr year in hospitals)
Thanks Karl